COUNTIES CRICKET Western Division preview August 11

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Created on Sunday, 11 August 2024 10:19

Last Updated on Sunday, 11 August 2024 11:27

Published on Sunday, 11 August 2024 10:19

Written by PAUL BOLTON Cricket Correspondent

Berkshire head into their final Durant Cricket National Counties Championship match against Oxfordshire needing only a draw to secure the Western Division One title and a place in next month’s national final.

Berkshire currently head the table by 39 points having won all three of their divisional matches so far but that record may count for nothing if they slip up against Oxfordshire.

As Oxfordshire still have struggling Devon to play at Banbury next week two maximum point hauls would take them above Berkshire who, having seen their title hopes scuppered by their local rivals by a heavy defeat at Thame three years ago, regard them as a live threat.

“Three wins out of three would have won all the other groups but the way our group is, if we slip up against Oxfordshire and then Oxfordshire beat Devon we are in position whereby they will pip us,” said Berkshire head coach Tom Lambert.

“We know Oxfordshire. They are a really good side and, similar to us, they have had a lot of recent success.

“We are going to have to be really, really good and we are going to have to go out to win that game to cement our place in the final.

“But we have got a hell of a lot of work to do against a team we fully respect.”

Berkshire welcome back opening batter Rhys Lewis and off-spinning all-rounder Euan Woods from the injuries that ruled them out of the victory over Cheshire two weeks ago.

Off-spinner Adam Searle, who took his maiden five wicket haul two weeks ago, returns to the squad having missed last week’s National Counties Trophy semi-final defeat against Cheshire.

Oxfordshire give a debut to seamer George O’Connor, who has been trialling with Sussex, with batter Luke Maslen called up for his first Championship appearance in two years.

Cheshire head to Sidmouth to face Devon in a potential relegation decider, strengthened by the inclusion of four members of their successful Trophy side.

Former captain Rob Sehmi will make his first Championship appearance in two years with Kevin Carroll, Nick Anderson and Chris Sanders set for their seasonal debuts in the competition.

Devon, last season’s Western Division champions and beaten national finalists, have made one change to the side beaten by Cornwall with seamer Matt Skeemer replacing leg-spinner Will Christophers.

Shropshire welcome back batter George Hargrave and wicketkeeper Ben Lees for their Western Division Two match against Wales NC at Bridgnorth which may well decide the title and promotion to the top flight next season.

Wales are missing opening batter Kurtis Marsh, who is due to become a father for the first time, so Newport’s Morgan Bevans and Ynysygerwyn’s Cian Davies – who made his debut in the Showcase fixture against Worcestershire – are included the squad.

Herefordshire head to Wimborne to face Dorset with two contracted Worcestershire players – Henry Cullen and Olly Cox – in their side.

Captain Matt Pardoe and vice-captain Nick Hammond return having missed the draw with Wales and Halesowen off-spinner Ciaran Baker-Smith will make his debut.

Seamer Sam Keeling-Wright, who impressed for the Challengers against Zimbabwe Emerging this week, is unavailable.

Dorset also include a debutant, North Perrott’s James Salaman, and they have recalled former Hampshire Academy batter Dom Clutterbuck for his first county appearance in six years.

Durant Cricket National Counties Championship

August 11-13 (11am)

Eastern Division One

Flitwick: Bedfordshire v Buckinghamshire. Stafford: Staffordshire v Suffolk

Western Division One

Falkland CC: Berkshire v Oxfordshire. Sidmouth: Devon v Cheshire.

Eastern Division Two

Sawston: Cambridgeshire v Northumberland. Horsford: Norfolk v Cumbria.

Western Division Two

Wimborne: Dorset v Herefordshire. Bridgnorth: Shropshire v Wales NC

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